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Collections: Artists' Books

The Library has over 500 artists' books, collected through direct purchase from the artists themselves, from small publisher book fairs and donations.

Everyone is welcome to discover and use this unique collection during Library opening hours.

Open Access in the Library

The Artists' Books are filed in the brightly coloured filing cabinets on the ground floor of the Library. All library users have open access to the Collection.

What is an Artists' Book?

An artist's book is a form of artistic expression that manifests itself as a 'book'.

The term book is used lightly as items can be made of a variety of materials. For example, the AUB collection includes books made using textiles, sand and metal; they can also employ traditional binding methods or more experimental forms.

Book art or bookworks are terms used to describe artists' books that have a traditional structure, whilst book objects is used to describe 3D outcomes that merely reference the shape of a book.

Recent Additions

Explore the Collection Online

The Artists' Books Collection can be found in the brightly coloured filing cabinets on the ground floor of the Library.

Click here to see the full collection in the Library Catalogue

Alternatively, use the search box below to find individual titles/artists.

Book Arts Newsletter

Spotlight on DIY Fashion

Staff Borrowing

Academic staff are encouraged to borrow a curated selection to use in AUB studios by liaising with a Subject Librarian or by completing and submitting the below form:

Staff Request to Borrow Artists’ Books.